[√]Lady of the White Rose

56: Riot In The Court

VESPER

"Is everything ready?"

"All set,"

"Nahanapan niyo paraan 'yong problema?"

"Yes, thanks to your advice."

"Tutuloy ka talaga, V?"

"I have no choice,"

"May choice kang 'wag pumunta. Ididiin ka lang nila sa kasalanang di mo naman ginawa, I've seen cases like that before. They'll just frame you for treason so that they can bring down Frontera!" Himutok ni Ashley mula sa likuran ko. Inayos ko lang ang hikaw ko bago ito tignan mula sa salamin.

"That's the exact reason why I can't back out now, the Family's at stake. If I lose, I can't protect you, Aidan, Chain, Alfonso and the rest of my people."

"I'm the one who's supposed to protect you!"

Napangiti ako dahil sa sinabi nito. Hindi ko alam kung straightforward lang ba ito o ano dahil sa mga pinagsasabi niya. I walk towards her and give her a tight hug. She was confused for a moment at first but ended up hugging me in return.

Nawalan man ako ng mga taong mahahalaga sakin ngunit may mga dumating naman na handang tumayo sa tabi ko, ang ipaglaban ako at hindi ako bibiguin. That's why, I also don't want to disappoint them. I wanted to show them that they made the right choice of taking my side.

Ayokong pagsisihan nila na ako ang kanilang pinili.

"The accuse, please step in front, Duchess Vesper Frontera."

Kinakabahan ako ngunit tinapangan ko na lamang ang sarili ko bago lumakad sa gitna. In front of me is the judge, above his seat, are the rulers of Lorence Kingdom, the King and the Queen. The prince's seat is still empty, just like the usual.

The trial garnered a lot of attention from the public. The court was filled with people trying to watch the historic event. For the past several moths, Frontera Dukedom has been a hot topic within the Kingdom. From the unfortunate accidents of mt family, to me being the new temporary head, Kuya Kaido's missing corpse, kicking some of my vassals family, the monsters attacked and now the trial for treason. We've come a long way. I've been through a lot.

"I now present to the highly respected and honored judge of the court the evidences gathered to prove that Vesper Frontera, the temporary head of the Frontera Dukedom is planning treason against the current Royal Family, against the Kingdom, against the people."

I watch them silently as they, the Everett's lawyer walk towards the judge to hand the papers he called evidences. Napasulyap lang ako ng ilang sandali sa kabilang bahagi ng court, kung saan ang pwesto nila. Nakita ko si Abby, nakayuko at noong nagtama ang aking mga mata ay bigla itong nag-iwas ng tingin, hindi makatingin sa akin ng diretso.

Napa-ismid ako bago inalis sa kanya ang tingin. It took me a while to accept her betrayal but now watching her sitting at the other side, it still sting a little. Ngunit mas lamang ang pagkawalang pake ko. Napagod na ako masaktan at maging malungkot. Paulit-ulit na lang, nakakasawa rin.

Mas maganda talagang maging patatas na lang ako.

Magandang patatas.

Tumanggo-tango ang judge pagkatapos basahin ang mga papeles na inihain sa kanya. Mukha pa lang niya, halata mo ng binayaran.

"According to the evidences, the accuse, Vesper Frontera, the temporary head of the Frontera Dukedom is found guilty of the crime of treason. Do you plead guilty?"